Tryptophan Is Real

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is found in trace quantities in poultry and other foods. Legend has it that tryptophan in turkeys is the cause of people feeling sleepy after enjoying a Thanksgiving dinner. I'm not a scientist, but I've eaten enough turkey over the years to believe the urban legend of tryptophan in turkey to be real.

Yesterday at the Shaw household we celebrated with two turkeys, one baked in the oven and one 'Cajun deep-fat fried' in a bucket of burning peanut oil. After the meal everyone noted a marked drop in energy that could only be temporarily buoyed by the words "Dessert anyone?"

So now we plan to enjoy a week's worth of turkey leftover creations, turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, turkey this and turkey that. If my hunch is right about tryptophan, I may just miss most of the next week napping.